Tokelau votes on whether to retain colonial ties with New Zealand

Residents from the tiny New Zealand territory of Tokelau have begun voting on whether to become one of the world's smallest self-governing states.

Fewer than 800 voters from a total population of 1,500 are to choose between keeping colonial ties or adopting self-government in free association with New Zealand.

Voting on the first day was only being held in Apia, the capital of neighbouring Samoa, before moving to the three Tokelau atolls of Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo over the following three days.

The referendum requires a 66 percent majority to succeed.

In a similar ballot last year 60 percent voted in favour, a shortfall of about 30 votes.

Regardless of the poll outcome, the New Zealand government has promised a treaty allowing Tokelauans to retain their New Zealand citizenship and they will continue to receive the same level of financial support.

Critics argue that such a tiny population dispersed on three atolls with a combined land area of just 12.2 square kilometres in the South Pacific does not make for a self-governing state.

The atolls have few resources except for fisheries and according to the CIA rankings of gross domestic product Tokelau has the smallest economy in the world.